Dry trails come from waiting. Friday I drove out to Kokopeli main TH then walked the parking lot to find a rider who had come back from their ride to learn trail conditions. No such happening in spite of an almost packed parking. I will learn myself. Seemed good to go as temp was well above freezing and the sun was shining brightly. Geared up, wearing new heart rate monitor to satisfy my need for acquiring ride data. I rode out Marys then returned on Wrangler. Not a big ride but a big effort. Trails in the desert seem to more technical. Going in this direction made the climb up on Wranglers mostly old double track making the descent down the switchbacks back home.
Above is where I will ride next.
Today I rode some of the previous stuff I walked, one was a tight switchback to the right with a slight outsloped landing. My performance has improved. 11.8 miles climbing 991′. Recovery advisor on the Edge was 45 hours, I adjusted the heart rate values for the next ride which should drive down the recovery time. I drove back to anchor spot N of Loma. Exit from the TH is on a bit of gravel road until the hard road at the interstate ramp, I cross over the interstate on a state highway then remain straight for a bunch of miles then turn right on S road, a gravel BLM road, for almost a mile to the anchor spot.
Squalls rolled in and out
I made Sat a rest day. A City Market is the only grocery in Fruita, I had needs better than selections here. No reggiano P cheese or aged Gouda, nor Happy Camper Bread. I did score the cheeses at the new big City Market in W. Junction, struck out at every store for Happy Camper bread. Hung around Fruita till early Sedona salad at Hot Tomato, 5 PM crowd was over the top. Nice evening as I sat outside shoveling greens into my maw.
Sat I day hiked out at McInnis canyon, packed TH parking. I mixed trail selections from hard packed to almost scrambling. Beautiful fall day.
Discovered a small independent book store in Fruita that I checked out. Upstairs of an older decorative building, wainscoting woodwork. Will buy my next book there.
Back out to Loma spot before dark. Heater ran most of the night.
Today, Sunday, I tackled Hawkeye up, Mack Ridge down Lyons around, Mack Ridge back side climb then return down on Hawkeye. Out at Mack interchange off I 70. I figured because the start spot was further away from popular Kokopeli TH. It was so. Climb up Hawkeye took 30 mins, trail does have several short downhills and flat spots but mostly all in preparation to best the ridge top above. I still walk features as I do not have the engine to make the climbs. I encountered maybe 5 riders. Then all hands on deck descent of Mack ridge. I have gotten better at just steering over the chunder and allow the bike to roll over whatever. Confidence to let go. Bike behaves well, it inspired confidence on its 2nd tech ride. Mack ridge ends at a TH that is accessed via a short nasty gravel road. I am amazed at the rigs parked here to get right at the trail start. Turn right and descend Marys till intersection with Lyons per above pic. Lyons is a hump. There were many rolled onto the trail rocks from maybe last rain event. I stopped and kicked them off. Then the jeep road climb up to Mack Ridge.
Descent down Hawkeye took 21 mins, 9 mins faster than the climb., Weren’t no cake walk down.
I stopped for a break at the intersection of Lyons and the road climb up Mack ridge. I found a Park chain breaker still with a chain side link attached. Trailside litter, I picked it up. back at the TH I used attempting to give the tool to riders at the TH. Nobody wanted a Park chain breaker. Suspect most everybody has their chain breaker same tool as I have. I ended up screwing it onto a sign for someone else who needs it. My multi tool has a breaker which works but not as well as the Park but it is lighter. Some rider paid a weight penalty carrying a shop tool.
Nice day. Temp warmed to shorts and sandals that I put away. Daytime temps make night time clothing too warm. Need 2 sets of clothes to match the temps.
Discussion at Mack TH among 3 riders was newer riders lack manners which harshes our buzz. If a rider is lacking tech skills and or conditioning they can be tolerated if they have good manners. There are just too many uneducated riders on the trails. I normally give my uphill rights away to a descending rider as I do not trust them to yield to me. During my first ride on for me a climb on Marys and a descent for riders coming towards me I attempted to take uphill right of way against some squirrelly riders descending. I did not get my line. Stay away from popular trails on weekends. Conversation went to learning of free camping spots. Guys said a web site they use showed the Loma spot. I never give away spots where I stay as I hope they will be vacant when I want to stay there.
I installed new brake pads in rear brake. MTX pads are super but they don’t last as many miles as noisy semi metallic Formula pads. Determined that said brake needs to be bled. Tomorrow morning I will drive back to OTE for bleeding then ride afterwards.